Mental Health & Faith: A Closer Look

Cognitive Distortions – Part 2 Inspired by a poster at a psychiatric treatment ce2nter, the two episodes on “detour thinking” will explore the cognitive distortions and relevant scriptures. A cognitive distortion can be defined as a distorted thought or cognitive distortion is an exaggerated pattern of thought that’s not based on facts. It consequently leads you to view things mo...

Cognitive Distortions Inspired by a poster at a psychiatric treatment center, the two episodes on “detour thinking” will explore the cognitive distortions and relevant scriptures. A cognitive distortion can be defined as a distorted thought or cognitive distortion is an exaggerated pattern of thought that’s not based on facts. It consequently leads you to view things more negatively th...

Part 2 – Brian’s Story Continues In part two of this two part series, Brian Mathrusse shares how our creator God gave him assurance that there is hope and recovery is possible. This required turning away from the unhealthy habits Brian had lived with for many years, and making the decision to work through his addiction and mental health issues. Brian’s story reminds us that subst...

Part 1 – Brian’s Story Begins In part one of a two part series, Brian Mathrusse begins his story of substance use and mental health challenges that, in part, were influenced by situations that occurred in his growing up years. Brian’s story reminds us that substance abuse and mental illness do not discriminate. Even individuals who come from well-respected families and enjoy educ...

Empower the Warrior Within This episode features an interview with the authors of  Empower the Warrior Within: Using God’s Word to Win the War. Debra Schwietert and Annie Bifulco had a providential meeting through their mutual therapist’s anxiety group. The original author, Rex Briggs, MSW, developed the secular anxiety program many years ago. The principles in his program are also fou...

Based on personal experience and with information provided at the Disability and the Church Conference, hosted by Key Ministry, Caroline S. Cooper encourages churches to explore establishing disability and mental health ministries. PLEASE POST OR SEND ME COMMENTS! We are in this together, and Caroline would love to receive your comments on how the church is doing to provide for the needs of the di...

Painful Pancreatitis On March 12, 2026, I had a sudden onset of pancreatitis. This condition produced excruciating pain, greater than any other pain I’ve experienced. While I at first felt abandoned by the Lord, I knew his promise to never leave me nor forsake me. About halfway through my 6-day hospital stay, I began to experience the comfort of God as he presented four important lessons I c...

Our Relational Reset, Episode 73, begins with love. In this final episode in the 4-part series to reset our lives in 2026, Caroline reads and discusses two sections in Scripture that can help you renew your relationships with others in a God-honoring way. 1 Peter 2:13-3:12 reveals how we should approach others – with respect and love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 expands on what it means to love othe...

Welcome to 2026! The first four episodes in January will focusing on a 2026 Reset – resetting our spiritual, mental & emotional, and physical beings as well as resetting relationships. Here’s the schedule. Please share your comments! And don’t forget to subscribe. 1/8/26 Reset: Spiritual Health 1/14/26 Reset: Mental & Emotional Health 1/21/26 Reset: Physical Health 1/29/2...

Welcome to 2026! The first four episodes in January will focusing on a 2026 Reset – resetting our spiritual, mental & emotional, and physical beings as well as resetting relationships. Here’s the schedule. Please share your comments! And don’t forget to subscribe. 1/8/26 Reset: Spiritual Health 1/14/26 Reset: Mental & Emotional Health 1/22/26 Reset: Physical Health 1/29/2...

Welcome to 2026! The first four episodes in January will focusing on a 2026 Reset – resetting our spiritual, mental & emotional, and physical beings as well as resetting relationships. Here’s the schedule. Please share your comments! And don’t forget to subscribe. 1/8/26 Reset: Spiritual Health 1/15/26 Reset: Mental & Emotional Health 1/22/26 Reset: Physical Health 1/29/2...

Linda McDougal, LPC Linda is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children from 3-19 for more than 10 years. Her varied experience includes songwriting, creating a local Christian newspaper, and working as a substitute teacher. Child-Teen Therapy for 8-19 year olds In Part 2 of a 2-part series, Linda shares important therapies she uses with 8-19 year old youth, listed below. For g...

Linda McDougal, LPC Linda is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children from 3-19 for more than 10 years. Her varied experience includes songwriting, creating a local Christian newspaper, and working as a substitute teacher. Child Therapy for 3-8 year olds In Part 1 of a 2-part series, Linda shares how she works with children from ages 3 to 8. She describes four different modal...

Charlene Giles Charlene Giles is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a passion to minister to people who are ready to grow in their relationship with God and others. According to her website, she is recently retired from her leadership position at Asbury Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For over 28 years she was  responsible for the care and marriage ministries of one of the largest Methodist...

Meet Lea! Lea Turner is a registered nurse, pilates instructor, and certified grief coach. She has also walked the long road of grief and wants to share what she has learned with others through her writing, speaking, and consulting work. As a result of her journey to publish her first book, Lea and her partner, Kim Mosiman, formed Writer to Writer to help other writers thrive in the publishing wor...

Caroline and her guest, Angela Wesson, have a candid, informative, and passionate discussion about Angel’s COPS KC nonprofit and how the body of Christ is called to serve others. COPS is the acronym for Counselors Obediently Preventing Substance Abuse. (See below for links to information about addiction and recovery.) SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: COPS KC is holding an event to celebrate Recovery Mo...

Many years ago, when I begin considering serving the Lord as a Christian writer and speaker, he gave me a mission to focus my efforts. My full mission statement reads as follows: I will offer encouragement for life in a complicated world by inspiring people to choose hope, experience transformation, and recognize victory in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today’s episode is in preparation for a new...

This episode is a presentation that was given at a virtual workshop for the Faith+Mental Health conference in May 2025. Caroline has nearly 20 years of experience as a leader for a Christ-centered mental health support group where she emphasizes hope, transformation, and victory. This approach is based on the Spirit-led process God revealed to Caroline in reflecting on her own recovery journey. Th...

Laurie Hammer is a functional nutritional therapist. She is also a survivor of an eating disorder with accompanying anxiety and depression. God brought Laurie through this adversity to place of healing. She now has a passion for helping others through her Calm Mom program, Take Back My Brain podcast, coaching, and amino acid therapy. Laurie is hosting a virtual faith-based mental health back-to-sc...

THE RESPECT INSTITUTE "The Missouri Mental Health Foundation (MMHF) is proud to offer certified speakers through the RESPECT Institute of Missouri. Our speakers bravely share their lived experiences with mental illness and substance use disorders, providing powerful insights and inspiration." As a RESPECT speaker, Caroline knows firsthand the importance of sharing your story to provide hope, encou...

Today's topic revolves around trauma and how it impacts a person's life. The good news is, with the guidance and healing power of Jesus, recovery is possible! Life can be purposeful, impactful, and joyful. Here Caroline's guest, Beth Jones, share her story of trauma, sin, recovery, and restoration. Beth Jones is an international speaker and author. Beth's mission is encouraging women to use their...

Caroline closes out her four-part series on wellness by discussion spiritual wellness. Two key activities for spiritual growth are prayer and Bible study. Prayer The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neibuhr (1892-1971, German theologian) https://www.prayerfoundation.org/dailyoffice/serenity_prayer_full_version.htm God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to...

Affirmations & Journaling In this third of four episodes on wellness, Caroline shares information on how to use affirmations and journaling to improve mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Affirmations Using affirmations and accompanying Scriptures, a person can retrain their thoughts to line up with the truth of God's Word. They will begin to accept their identity as a beloved child of God and...

Christian meditation In part 2 of the Wellness Tools series, Caroline presents eight types of Christian Meditation based on an article called "What is the best type of meditation?" from Medical News Today. Find out how you can experience presence and peace of God through Loving-kindness meditation Progressive muscle relaxation Mindfulness meditation Breath awareness meditation Repetition (mantra-b...

wellness and wellness tools What is wellness? In this episode Caroline will define "wellness" and discuss the importance of using wellness tools to find peace and calmness in the midst of chaos. The episode includes scripture and other suggestions for pursuing wellness from a Christian perspective. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Join the conversation by leaving your comments or emailing Caroline at caro...